One of the UK’s greatest cultural icons, Aardman Animations, will be showcased at ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) in an Australian exclusive exhibition as part of the 2017 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series.

“We’re putting people first by providing cultural gems for all to enjoy. Melbourne Winter Masterpieces is a huge tourism drawcard and yet another reason why Victoria is the creative state.” Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said.

“Wallace and Gromit will give Victorians a chance to gain inspiration from the best in the business while providing a great day out for animation enthusiasts for all ages.”

Wallace and Gromit and Friends: The Magic of Aardman opens in June 2017, celebrating 40 years of animation and claymation prowess by Aardman, who also created Shaun the Sheep, Creature Comforts and Chicken Run.

Founded by animators David Sproxton and Peter Lord at university, the Oscar-winning studio has worked across film, television and music video and has created some of the world’s most recognised advertisements.

Aardman Animations exhibition features more than 350 objects and takes audiences behind the scenes on an Aardman production showing original artworks, sketchbooks, concept drawings, storyboards, puppets and sets.

Wallace’s inventions, Gromit’s famous vegetable garden, Shaun the Sheep sets, the flying machine from Chicken Run, and the spectacular 5-metre tall ship from The Pirates! will all come to Australia for the first time.

Exclusive to ACMI, the exhibition will also feature artworks from the studio’s forthcoming feature film Early Man, due for release in 2018.

Curation has been a collaborative effort between animation specialists Art Ludique-Le Musée of Paris and the Aardman Animations team. Mr Sproxton and Mr Lord will travel to Australia for the opening.

VIC Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley

More than 5 Million people have attended a Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition since the series was established by the Bracks Labor Government in 2004. The exhibition will be one of two Masterpieces for 2017 with the National Gallery of Victoria also hosting Van Gogh and the Seasons, to open in April 2019.

“For the last two years, we’ve delivered on the things that matter most to people supporting our economy and Victorian jobs with the best major events in Australia.” Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren said.

“This incredible exhibition has already delivered huge audiences in Europe, drawing a surge in visitors to Paris and Frankfurt and we look forward to the boost it’ll give our economy, too.”

Wallace and Gromit and Friends: The Magic of Aardman will open at ACMI on 29 June 2017.